Communication Technology Solutions – By Design
Monday, November 28th, 2011“Communication technologies [for] people who are deaf and hard-of-hearing are just as much for the general hearing public… in that they foster communication between both groups.” **
Think of SMS texting on mobile phones, web-chat (via text, video or voice), and Facebook posts as everyday solutions for universal access. Real-time captioning (CART) and captioned web-videos similarly [...]
Write-Up Of IDK’s Tech Event (Oct 10th, 2011)
Sunday, October 23rd, 2011Irish Deaf Kids held a technology and education event in Dublin on October 10th, 2011. The event proved to be invaluable for all attendees, and was put together to give parents, educators and other stakeholders in-depth insights to how deaf and hard-of-hearing (hoh) children can use digital tools to better communicate and learn in a [...]
Video Games: The Literacy Of Problem-Solving
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011“Video-games, and the type of learning and thinking they generate, may serve as a cornerstone for education and economies of the future”.
For children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, video-games offer great learning potential. Social and interpersonal skills can be taught, as can problem-solving abilities (which the children in question may have already).
Read the full piece: Is [...]
Touchscreen Tech Boosts Literacy In Deaf Children
Thursday, September 29th, 2011Technology tools can be instrumental in teaching literacy skills to children with hearing issues and/or other learning needs, as this article shows.
Touchscreen tech helps people with disabilities
Some parents and educators are reserved about using iPads in early-years education. Moderation and context are advised in such settings but if an iPad device helps develop a child’s language [...]
Communicate, Educate, Integrate – Technology And Deaf Children In Mainstream Environments
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011IDK is hosting a seminar, “Communicate, Educate, Integrate – Technology and Deaf Children in Mainstream Environments” on October 10th, in Dublin.
This FREE event is for everyone with an interest in hearing, communication, language, learning and supportive technologies for deaf children/students in mainstream environments.
No prior understanding of deafness or of the technology solutions reviewed, is required [...]
Question: “Do Deaf Children Really Need A SNA?”
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011The current SNA and resource teacher cuts, in effect since school-children returned to classes earlier this month, have brought to light several issues and questions surrounding deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their educational needs, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Do deaf and hard-of-hearing children really need a SNA or resource teacher in mainstream education, [...]
Technology Has Revolutionised Deaf Education
Thursday, September 15th, 2011The teaching of children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing has altered as a result of technologies such as cochlear implants and speech-to-text tools, according to a recent report from Project Forum, at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, in the United States (see summary).
Technology Has Changed The Teaching Of Deaf Students
Notable findings [...]
What Tertiary Supports Do Deaf Students Need?
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011Statistically, more and more deaf and hard-of-hearing students are enrolling in mainstream tertiary institutions in the US (Raue & Lewis, 2011). The same is happening in Ireland, due to a convergence of factors that includes Trinity College Dublin’s DS3 (Deaf Support in Third Level) program.
Different tertiary education supports are needed for students who:
have hearing aids and [...]
New School Year – A Quick Reference List
Monday, August 29th, 2011If you’re a parent or teacher with a deaf child starting a new school year, here’s a quick reference list that might answer some of your questions.
Hearing Assistance Entitlements
Educational Supports in Ireland
Advocating For Your Child’s Service Provision
The Visiting Teacher Service: Background Details
The Effective Use of IEPs in Irish Classrooms
What To Do If Your Child’s Support [...]
What To Do If Your Child’s Support Hours Are Cut
Wednesday, August 17th, 2011The parent of a deaf student emailed IDK. Her child’s secondary-school teaching support hours were cut during Transition Year, when the regional SENO said this was not the case. A deadlock had resulted, so our advice was sought. Here’s what we suggested.
Get a statement of resource teaching &/or SNA hours at the start.
All arrangements with [...]